How to win the battle against sinful desires as a Christian
What are sinful desires?
Bing defines desires as a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
Read how it says it is a ‘strong feeling’. An impulsive feeling of want,what is not ours- sinful behavior.
Men and women struggle with several types of desires. You and I may be struggling with two different kind of sin. But what God sees as sin is sin in every sense of the word.
In the book of James 4:2 (kjv)we read
Ye lust, and have not:
you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:
ye fight and war,
yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Epithymia is the Greek word for evil desires in the Strong’s Concordance. Epi (focused on ) , and Thymos (desires based on urges)
We forget that our desires will lead to fighting and conflicts within our soul, with others, and with God.
These sinful desires prompt us to be envious of our fellow beings’ popularity, accomplishments,wealth, marriage, home, or beautiful body leading us into a great sin.
4 BIBLICAL WAYS TO WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST SINFUL DESIRES.
1.ASK OF GOD –
How many fights could have been avoided if we just asked God for the necessary blessings and protection in our lives. God can fulfill the desires of our heart, and our prayers should always be “NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE”
We must be discerning of what we ask of God as well. Is it aligned with God’s Word?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matt 6:33
This has been my prayer that I will ask of God for heavenly wisdom concerning my matters of desires and that they be of pure intention.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you(James 1:5) .
If our motives are evil and wicked, God will have no part with our prayers.
2. SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD :
The second way to battle against sinful desires is by submitting.
Submitting our whole self to God and conforming to the image of God is a conscious choice every believer must make.
We submit not because God is dominating but because we know that God will protect us from the temptations we face.
God is a loving Father, and the lover of our soul; HE alone can deliver His children from the ungodly one.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God isfaithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.1 Cor 10:13,KJV
3.WALK IN THE SPIRIT –
When we walk in the Spirit we will make conscious decision to choose holiness in our lives. We will continue to bear the fruit of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:21,22)
Noticed the 9th fruit of the Spirit? SELF CONTROL.
While walking without the Spirit will give into our impulsive desire, walking in the Spirit will bear self-control.
Those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. Romans 8:14
As sons and daughters of God, we must heed to the Holy Spirit’s conviction in our heart about the way we quarrel and desire about things that are not ours.
Examples : King Saul was envious of young David’s victories and popularity.
King Ahab was greedy for Naboth’s ancestral vineyard. Jezebel, the queen plotted for her husband. I kings 21
4.KILL YOUR DESIRE
So, PUT TO DEATH the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:5,NLT
The Bible isn’t asking us to pluck our eyes or cut our body parts literally. We are asked to crucify our sinful desires and flee from them.
Now this part will be the hardest to do, because it requires dedication on our part to withdraw ourselves from what we desire.
–If it is a movie scene, a handsome actor, or , magazine that is the cause of sexual desire, avoid it.
–If God is asking you to shut down Facebook because you are literally envious of those who are going on vacations or posting pictures of their wonderful time. Do so immediately.
–If it is the desire to slay someone with our vengeful words and actions, close our mouth right away.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24,NASB
Reflection:
Have sinful desires ruled your heart? How did you win the battle? Do share your insights in the comments,
Ask the Lord to reveal the areas of lust, greed, unwanted fights and evils in your life.
Related Post : HOW TO BREAK DOWN STRONG WALLS
I pray you stay blessed and victorious.
Diana
Donna Miller
February 16, 2018 at 4:22 pmMuch needed post! We can overcome anything with the Holy Spirit’s help!! Blessings to you for writing on this tender subject! ❤
Diana
February 16, 2018 at 4:32 pmThank you Donna ! God gives us victories when we ask of Him.
Shalini Samuel
February 17, 2018 at 4:45 amDi really Wonderful thought..
Thank uhh so much for the encouraging thought throughout this post… It was really a need to self examine for the way n tym going through…. Thank u…
Julie Hamilton
February 17, 2018 at 12:12 pmGreat tips! I’ve literally had to shut down the fb one!!
Diana
February 17, 2018 at 12:58 pmJulie , me too !! Thank you for stopping by today.
Beth
February 19, 2018 at 10:42 amThis is such a need–to address how we resist temptations in life, Diana. Thanks so much for walking us through what the Bible has to say about combatting this ever-present challenge in life.
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:04 amAbsolutely, Beth! It has been my prayer to get rid of these desires in my life. So I needed clear guidance from the Lord. thank you for visiting me today
Alyson | WriteThemOnMyHeart
February 20, 2018 at 8:34 amHi Diana, I love these 4 powerful and practical steps! They all support your first step “Thy will be done.” – which we probably need to pray much more often.
Nezet
February 20, 2018 at 8:50 amThanks for sharing! This is so deep and so true! Change doesn’t happen until we surrender to God and realize we can’t do it on our own.
KellyRBaker
February 20, 2018 at 10:33 amWe must do everything we can to be victorious. I agree that we need to take measures in the natural as well. Both crucifying our flesh and removing temptations are needed. Curious: what version is that for James 1:5 under point one? I couldn’t find that translation.
Diana
February 20, 2018 at 11:41 amKelly, I actually didn’t add the verse for James 1:5 . What you read was my own prayer . This time I added the verse. Sorry for the confusion. Thank you for stopping by today. Yes, crucifying our flesh is so important to stand victorious.
Donna Reidland
February 20, 2018 at 1:43 pmGreat post. Even good things can become sinful desires if we want them so much that we’re willing to sin to get them or sin if we don’t. But if we’ll do the things you’ve suggested, not perfectly but with the desire to change and grow, we can put those desires in their proper places.
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:06 amDonna, I love how you mentioned even good things can become sinful. Our greed to attain them can cause us to sin. I pray we can defy this sin by asking God for wisdom
Lisa notes
February 20, 2018 at 4:35 pm“We submit not because God is dominating but because we know that God will protect us from the temptations we face.” Amen. Too often we impart bad motives on God for his commandments, but they’re for our own protection as well as his glory. Thanks for sharing!
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:14 amJust like a parent knows what is best for their little one, Christ knows why it is important that we resist sins.
I am glad to read your comment, Lisa
Nicole Kauffman
February 21, 2018 at 7:38 amPowerful ways to overcome temptation. These practical tips and tools are to the point and really helpful! Thank you!
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:07 amThank you Nicole. Holy Spirit wanted to teach us about this subject even though I think I do not commit any bigger sins. But God weighs them all equally. I am glad you stopped by today
bethany mcilrath
February 21, 2018 at 10:45 amGreat steps, Diana! These are very practical and Biblical. Thank you!
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:12 amI pray this post will continue to bless you. Thank you for your visit here at my blog today
Jill
February 21, 2018 at 1:10 pmVisiting from BHG. I love how God gives us the power to resist the devil and that he has to flee. So good!
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:10 amThank you Jill for stopping by and your valuable comments.
Gretchen Fleming
February 22, 2018 at 10:02 amLove how practical and Scriptual your post is Diana! You share what should take place but also how to go about it. Love that! You tackle common struggles we all experience so thank you for sharing👍
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 10:13 amThank you Gretchen . God’s Word is full of wisdom for anyone who wants to lead a holy life . So glad you visited me
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 10:14 amSin comes in so many forms and shapes.Desires have a way of twisting our thoughts and these lists help me every day. Thank you for stopping by ,Emily
Diana
February 22, 2018 at 11:02 amThank you, Debbie for visiting me yet again.
Neca | The GreatBIG Life
March 1, 2018 at 12:00 pmHey Diana! I’m a Greek word nerd and though I have not formal training I often go searching for the “meaning” behind the meaning in scripture. Sin is definitely a “focus on urges”…God always gives us a way out …we just have to receive it. Thank you for such a practical post!
Diana
March 2, 2018 at 6:09 pmHey Neca, so glad you stopped by today!I, too love to hunt the meaning of words from the Scripture 🙂 God has a way out for all our sinful urges . Amen
Jo
January 20, 2019 at 4:22 amHi Diana. Thanks for this post. What I don’t understand about all this is how to differentiate between pure /impure desires?? Say if we really like someone romantically, isn’t that natural?? I am so confused about all that.
Thank you
Diana
January 28, 2019 at 11:29 amDear Jo, sorry I didn’t respond sooner . I have been unwell. For someone who is married , having impure thoughts would mean having any sort of relationship outside the sanctity of marriage . Now for a single man/woman who is in a romantic relationship it is natural to have desires . But the Bible says in Mark 7:20 that sexual immorality is a sin. Each man is required to have his own wife in 1Corinthians 7:2 which means having a sexual relationship with a person who is not your husband now is sin . That thought can become impure thoughts. So in order to fulfill that passion it has to be within the marriage . So what do we do when we have so much feelings with our boyfriend then ? We must wait until we know this is the one for marriage . Our bodies are weak and can fall into fulfilling the pleasures of this world quickly if we do not how to stop . Pure thoughts with a boyfriend would be anything that will not end in pre marital sex . Having one partner in life also reduces the chances of having any diseases . I hope I answered your questions ,Jo. Please do feel free to reach out if you have any more questions . God doesn’t condemn but rules helps us walk holy just like the STOP signs on the road as part of the law